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How we hear

Our ear is made up of three separate sections – the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Hearing occurs when sound waves reach the structures inside your ear. Here, the sound wave vibrations are converted into nerve signals that your brain recognises as sound.

Your ear consists of three major areas:

  1. Outer ear
  2. Middle ear
  3. Inner ear

Sound waves pass through the outer ear and cause vibrations at the eardrum. The eardrum and the three small bones of the middle ear amplify these vibrations as they travel to the inner ear. There, the vibrations pass through fluid in a snail-shaped structure in the inner ear called the cochlea.

Attached to nerve cells in the cochlea are thousands of tiny hairs that help to translate sound vibrations into electrical signals that are transmitted to your brain.

The vibrations of different sounds affect these tiny hairs in different ways, causing the nerve cells to send different signals to your brain. That’s how you distinguish one sound from another.

So there you have it! Of course, there’s much more detail to learn, but this fundamental understanding is sure to help you – especially if you require regular visits to your audiologist.

    What type of appointment do you need?

    If you’re concerned that you may be suffering with hearing loss or troublesome earwax, start by taking our quick and easy quiz. By answering a few simple questions, we’ll be able to understand more about your hearing and advise on the next steps to take. You’ll be on the road to better hearing in less than five minutes.

    What type of appointment do you need?

    Do you currently wear a hearing aid?

    Have you been told previously you have hearing loss?

    Do family members or friends complain the TV or radio is too loud?

    Do you struggle following people speaking in noisy situations?

    Do you have to ask people to repeat themselves?

    Do you hear a ringing or a humming noise?

    Do you worry your hearing isn’t as good as it used to be?

    Full diagnostic assessment - £80*

    The full 1.5 hour diagnostic assessment is nonobtrusive and pain-free. It will thoroughly assess all the components of your hearing pathway from your outer ear, through your middle and inner ear and the auditory processing centre of your brain.
    *redeemable against the purchase of hearing instruments.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    FREE Hearing Test/Ear Health Check

    We offer a free 30 minute hearing test/ear health check to see what might be causing the symptoms you are experiencing. This check may result in an additional appointment to resolve or investigate further, or we can advise accordingly.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    If you have any other symptoms of hearing loss, contact us to discuss your concerns.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    Has your GP surgery confirmed you have excess earwax?

    Have you been oiling your ear for 2-3 days?

    Have you experienced any of the following symptoms? Earache, itchy ear or a blocked feeling in your ears?

    Do you feel your hearing has recently changed?

    Do you hear a ringing or a humming noise?

    Do your ears block when you shower or go swimming?

    Earwax Removal

    Our audiologists are ENT- trained to offer safe and effective endoscopic earwax removal. Once the wax is removed, there is often instant relief from the symptoms you have been experiencing.

    Earwax removal £80.00

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    Oil the ear pre appointment

    Book an earwax removal appointment which allows you to oil for 2-3 days beforehand.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    FREE Ear Health Check

    We offer a free 15 minute ear health check to see what might be causing the symptoms you are experiencing. This check may result in an additional appointment to resolve or investigate further, or we can advise accordingly.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    If you have any other symptoms of hearing loss, contact us to discuss your concerns.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

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